Jeju SK FC

A professional football club based in Jeju acquired by SK Group, newly launched as Jeju SK FC from 2024.

Jeju SK FC

Overview

Jeju SK FC (Jeju SK FC) is a professional football club based in Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea. Currently competing in K League 1, the club was newly launched under its current name in 2024 after SK Group's acquisition of the former Jeju United FC. The club uses Jeju World Cup Stadium as its home stadium.

Main Details

History

The roots of Jeju SK FC trace back to the Yukong Elephants football club, founded in 1982. Initially based in Seoul, the club relocated to Jeju Island in 2006 and was reborn as Jeju United FC. In 2023, SK Group acquired the club, and from the 2024 season onward, the team name was changed to Jeju SK FC. After the acquisition, the club appointed Kwak Dae-hong as president and brought in Jang Jung-gu as general manager, focusing on financial stability and organizational improvement.

Club Identity

The team's symbolic colors carry on the red and blue of the former Jeju United era, while the uniforms were redesigned with a more refined look aligned with SK Group's corporate image. The mascot is a character inspired by the horse, a symbol of Jeju. Jeju World Cup Stadium, the home ground, was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and blends with Jeju's natural scenery to create a distinctive football culture.

Performance

Jeju SK FC has never won the K League overall title, but it has recorded one runner-up finish in the league (2010) and won the FA Cup in 2004. The club has also made several appearances in the Asian Champions League. Since the SK Group acquisition, the club has focused on building a long-term squad through young player signings and strengthening its youth system. In the 2024 season, the team showcased a modified 4-3-3 tactic and competed in the upper-mid part of the table, receiving strong support from home fans.

Foundation and Social Contribution

As a club that works with the local community, Jeju SK FC carries out various social contribution activities. It regularly holds exchanges with youth football clubs in Jeju, operates football classes, and hosts matches inviting underprivileged groups. The club also contributes to revitalizing the local economy through sports marketing linked to Jeju's tourism industry, and conducts eco-friendly campaigns based on SK Group's ESG management philosophy, having a positive impact on the local community.

Latest Trends

Following the SK Group acquisition in 2024, the club reorganized the team by appointing Kim Hak-bum as the new head coach. In the transfer market, the squad was reinforced with a mix of prospects and veterans, with particular changes in the attack to improve scoring. The 2024 season ended in 6th place in the league, narrowly missing out on an Asian Champions League berth, but the club showed potential by reaching the FA Cup semifinals. For the 2025 season, the club has moved to sign foreign players with SK Group's active investment and has strengthened communication with fans by unveiling a new brand identity (BI). In addition, the club is expanding its youth academy and working to build football infrastructure across Jeju Island, laying the groundwork for long-term growth.

Related Topics

  • [[K League 1]]
  • [[Jeju United]]
  • [[Jeju World Cup Stadium]]
  • [[SK Group]]
  • [[Korean professional football]]